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HARRISON, Mich. (Jan. 9, 2017) — Good Samaritan and Blue Flame Propane delivery driver, Jason Croutch, of Harrison, Michigan, jumped into action last week to help out two teenage girls trapped inside a flipped vehicle in a ditch. The girls who had the day off from school due to slick roads thought it would be safe to venture out in the afternoon to pick up some Chinese food. TV station ABC12 met up with the man who rescued the girls as he was getting ready to head out on another run Thursday afternoon. Watch the TV report at http://bit.ly/2iVZB2G. Jason Croutch says he doesn't consider himself a hero, but what's even more about remarkable about his actions – going down into a muck filled ditch…

CORVALLIS, Mont. (January 7, 2017) Corvallis schools have been granted $21,000 from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the purchase of a new school bus that runs on propane. “We will be purchasing a propane bus as a test to determine whether future purchases will be propane or diesel,” said Superintendent Tim Johnson. “Other districts in the state have propane buses, including Frenchtown, and have had great things to say about the buses so far.” Michael Edwards, transportation director, said Corvallis was asked by the DEQ to apply to the “Clean Diesel Project” that replaces an older bus with one that meets higher efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. “They are granting $21,000 towards the bus that costs $112,000, that means we’ll…

(January 9, 2017) President Obama in late December ordered federal waters in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans be placed indefinitely off-limits for further oil and gas leasing. The move was seen as a final fossil-fuel crackdown before he leaves office, and as a strategy to bind the hands of his successor, Donald Trump, who has promised to open more U.S.-owned lands and off shore areas to development. Obama announced his actions in conjunction with the government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada placed a moratorium on new oil and gas leasing in its Arctic waters, not indefinitely, but subject to periodic review. The U.S. waters in the Atlantic now off-limits stretch from the coast of New England south to Virginia. The president used a…

(January 9, 2017) Greece-based dry bulk shipping company DryShips Inc. announced recently it has entered into a ‘zero cost’ option agreement (LPG option agreement) to purchase up to four very large gas carriers (VLGCs) with an aim to expand its presence in the gas carrier market. As part of the deal, which was signed with companies controlled by DryShips Inc. chairman and CEO George Economou, DryShips will have three months to exercise four separate options, to buy up to the four VLGCs at $83.5m per vessel. If all the four options are exercised, the total purchase price of the VLGC fleet will be $334m. The VLGCs, which have the ability to carry liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are currently being built at South Korean shipyard Hyundai…

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 6, 2017) Crestwood Services, the supply and logistics unit of Crestwood Equity Partners LP (Kansas City, Mo.), has purchased the wholesale propane division of Turner Gas Co. of Salt Lake City, Utah. Details of the transaction were not released. Through the agreement, Crestwood has acquired three propane rail terminals in Nevada and Wyoming. All Turner Gas transport drivers have joined Crestwood, as have marketing and distribution team members Lisa Jennings and Mindy Ries. “We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Turner Gas’s wholesale propane division,” said Vance Harrington, vice president of facilities and transportation of Crestwood’s liquids and crude business. “Over its 77 years in business the company built a solid reputation and loyal following, and we look forward…

Blair, Neb. (January 3, 2017) — Independent Technologies, Inc. suffered a tragic loss on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 when its President, Daryl Ingalsbe, died in a plane crash near his home in Spruce Creek, Florida. Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to Daryl’s family, friends, and his family of employees. We also offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of his very good friend, Deb Solsrud of New London, Minnesota, who also was killed in the crash. The Independent Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors has appointed Vice President Hank L. Smith as the President and CEO. A statement released by the Board declared, “All of us at Independent Technologies have lost not only a great innovative leader in the voice…

COLUMBIA, Mo. (January 3, 2017) – MFA Oil Company, the seventh largest propane retailer in the United States, announced it has acquired the propane operations of Keiser Oil & LP Gas Co., an independent propane retailer based in Keiser, Arkansas. “We continue to build on our presence in northeast Arkansas and this acquisition will strengthen our position in the region,” says Jon Ihler, MFA Oil vice president of sales and marketing. “We plan to maintain the bulk propane plant in Keiser and integrate Keiser’s propane business into our existing operations in the area.” Kesier Oil and LP Gas Co. has serviced the energy needs of local residents for more than 50 years. This is second acquisition MFA Oil has made in the company’s 2017 fiscal…

America’s energy security is at its strongest point in two decades, according to the latest edition of the Institute for 21st Century Energy’s Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce affiliate’s index employs 37 different energy security metrics in four major areas of risk. The seventh annual edition covers 1970-2040 and incorporates the latest historical data and forecast models. In 2015—the most recent year available—risk dropped three points to 78.0, the lowest level since 1996. “It is not a coincidence that American energy security has shown vast improvements at the same time that America’s innovative energy industry was able to ramp up oil and gas production,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy,…

(January 2, 2017) — Rising propane exports from the U.S. at large discounts to naphtha are pointing to the increased use of LPG for Asian petrochemical production in 2017, according to www.argusmedia.com. U.S. LPG supplies to the global market have surged since late 2015 as new export terminal capacity has been developed. U.S. producer Enterprise Product Partners expanded its LPG export terminal in the Houston Ship Channel from 9.3mn t/yr to 15.5mn t/yr in late 2015, while Phillips 66 has brought on line a new 4.6mn t/yr LPG export terminal in Freeport, Texas. The rise in supply has come in tandem with a surge in new deliveries of very large gas carriers (VLGCs), leading to shipping oversupply and a collapse in LPG freight rates. The…

HELENA, Mont. (Dec. 30, 2017) — Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued an executive order Wednesday declaring a state of emergency and temporarily exempting truck drivers from “Hours of Service” (HOS) regulations due to harsh winter conditions and an increased short-term demand for propane. "Montana's winter weather can pose a serious threat to the livelihood of Montanans who depend on propane and heating oil," Bullock said. "This Order will ensure the timely and necessary delivery of petroleum products so that Montanans keep warm in their homes and continue to work, even in the harshest of winter conditions." According to a press release from the Governor's office, the signing of the Executive Order temporarily suspends “hours of service” regulations for carriers actively involved in transporting propane, heating…

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in the State of Vermont issued a summary of propane rights and responsibilities to remind its citizens of the law and their rights in a news release the AGO recently issued. “Vermont has a robust set of propane rules, both to protect consumers and to promote fair competition among propane dealers. With another heating season upon us, we want to remind consumers of their rights and what to expect from a propane dealer,” said Attorney General Bill Sorrell. For example, there are numerous protections against unfair or hidden fees. Consumers may not be charged: (i) a minimum usage fee; (ii) a fee for fuel not actually delivered; or (iii) any fee related to termination of service if a tank has…